Too compact, a bit too charming, more fun to look at than actually drive

MPG and running costs

The 500 hasn’t just stayed true to its diminutive proportions of its original predecessor (relatively speaking), but also its parsimonious consumption. The entire 500 line-up is frugal, if perhaps not quite as pump-dodging as you might imagine. The TwinAir engines bring the promise of excellent economy with a combined figure of 70.6mpg and emissions of 92g/km.

For the 104bhp TwinAir that figure drops to 67.3mpg with CO2 still under the road tax threshold at 99g/km. The 1.2i doesn’t fare quite so well, with its 60.1mpg only average for this size of car, as is its 111g/km emissions rating. For the most economical motoring in a 500 the 1.3 MultiJet turbodiesel is the pick, its 78.5mpg on the official combined cycle and 95g/km of CO2 sure to keep running costs low.

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That small diesel should get around 60mpg on a day-to-day basis, which isn't too far off its official combined consumption figures - unlike the TwinAir, in which it is all but impossible to get close, and is more likely to return a figure in the low 40s unless you treat the throttle pedal like there's a kitten under it.

A three-year/100,000-mile warranty is standard, which is about the minimum offering you’d expect these days. Fiat regularly offers generous finance packages with minimal deposits and low monthly payments, while the 500’s decent showing in the used price guides makes it relatively inexpensive to own. Servicing shouldn’t be costly either, with annual or 20,000-mile intervals, Fiat offering flexible, fixed price plans.